Skate



(No Model.)

J. D. FREESE.

SKATE.

No. 454,040. Patent edJune'lfi, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. FREESE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SKATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 454,040, dated June 16, 1891. Application filed February 3, 1891. Serial No. 379,997. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN D. FREESE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a novel construction in skates, the objects being to provide a skate, in the use of which it is possible to keep the feet warmer than heretofore, and one which is easier and more comfortable to wear; to provide a skate capable of giving a more powerful stroke; to provide improved and easier runners or blades, and to increase the general efliciency of a skate.

To these ends my invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the appended claim.

The accompanying drawing illustrates in perspective a skate constructed in accordance with my invention.

In accordance with the broad idea comprised by my invention I make the foot-piece of the skate flexible or yielding, so that when skating the foot is not held in one position, but can move naturally in accordance with its position and use. In this way a better circulation of blood is maintained, which seems to keep the foot warm. By permitting the foot to move as thus pointed out, I provide an easy-wearing skate that does not cramp the foot, so that it is possible to. skate a longer period of time without becoming tired than it is possible with skate having a rigid footpiece.

Referring to said drawing, A indicates, as a whole, a skate having a foot-piece B and runner O. The said foot-piece is made flexible, as described, and in the particular construction illustrated comprises a plurality of sections 1 and 2, flexibly joined together,

preferably by a hinge-joint 3. The toe-section 1 is conveniently made shorter than the heelsection 2.

The runner or blade 0 of the skate embraces a plurality of sections 4 and 5,.preferably two, which are flexibly connected to each other to permit a relative movement of said parts. It will be understood that said sections 4 and 5 of the runner can be flexibly joined in a variety of ways, and may be hinged directly to each other; but for convenience, economy, and simplicity of construction I find it preferable to secure a section of the runner to each section of the foot-piece, as shown. In this way the desired flexibility of the sections of the foot-piece and runner are secured in a simple and durable manner. It is also desirable to make the front or toe-section 4 of the runner shorter than the rear or heel-section 5 and to round the forward end of the heel-section of-the runner, as shown at 6.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when making a stroke with a skate of this kind a greater purchase and one longer in duration can be secured than with a single rigid runner, which will be more effective and advantageous in skating, and, further, that the runner has a double bearing-surface 1nstead of one, whereby they will not out into the ice so deep and will slide with greater ease.

I claim as my invention- A skate consisting of a sectional foot-piece jointed together and front and rear runnersections of approximately the same length rigidly secured to said sections of the footpiece, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. FREESE. Witnesses:

WM. H. Lorz, HARRY OoBB KENNEDY. 

